"Russia's Demographic Crisis"

Print Story | Email Story
Williamstown- Elizabeth Brainerd, associate professor of economics, will discuss "Russia's Demographic Crisis: Causes, Consequences, and Questions" on Thurs., Feb. 22, at 4 p.m. in Wege Auditorium, The Science Center at Williams College. Brainerd's lecture is the third in the six-part Annual Faculty Lecture Series at the college. The lecture is free and the public is cordially invited to attend. A reception will follow. Brainerd will discuss the causes and consequences of Russia's demographic crisis, which began in the early 1990s. After the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, Russian male life expectancy and overall birth rate plummeted. It has been called one of the great medical mysteries of the early 21st century. "When other countries go through an economic crisis, you typically see an increase in mortality among the elderly and infants," said Brainerd. "It's nothing like what we see in Russia." The life expectancy of a Russian man is 59 years, 15 years fewer than that of Western men. A Russian woman's life expectancy is 73 years old, seven years fewer than Western women. Adding to the situation, Russia's fertility rate is among the lowest worldwide with a ranking at 210 out of 220 countries. The figures are staggering. "I will discuss the relationship between the increase in mortality and the economic reforms that Russia undertook in the 1990s, and the reasons for the decline in the birth rate," Brainerd said. "I will also talk about the long-term consequences of these population declines for Russia." Brainerd studies the impact of economic transition and globalization, especially in the former Soviet Union. Her papers have appeared in the American Economic Review, Journal of Economic Perspectives, Journal of Comparative Economics, and the Industrial and Labor Relations Review. She is currently analyzing the effects of World War II on women in the Soviet Union. Brainerd was a fellow at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University in 2005-06. From 1992 to 1993, she advised the Russian Government on economic issues. She received her B.A. from Bowdoin College, her M.A. from Columbia University, and her Ph.D. from Harvard University. The next lecture in the series will be presented by Liza Johnson, associate professor of art, on "Everybody Knows about Mississippi: A Film Screening of 'South of Ten' and 'Some Thoughts about American Open Secrets'" on Thursday, Mar. 1, at 4 p.m., at Images Cinema.
Share
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Williamstown Police Looking for Suspects After Cole Avenue Shooting

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires.com
Updated 01:22PM
UPDATE: A notification from the town has indicated that the general public is not in danger. Williams College Sunday afternoon ended its lockdown. Single victim was taken away from the scene by ambulance.
 
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- One person was shot with a firearm at 330 Cole Ave. on Sunday morning, triggering an hour-long lockdown of Williams College and a manhunt for an armed suspect.
 
A reverse 911 call from the town at 12:39 Sunday afternoon indicated that Williamstown Police and the Massachusetts State Police are investigating the incident.
 
"At this time, based on evidence seen, this appears to be a specific, targeted incident," the reverse 911 call indicated. "The general public not in danger at this time. This [call] is for public awareness only."
 
The robocall indicates that the shooting took place at 10:15 a.m.
 
Williams announced the lockdown in an 11:38 text (and shortly after an email) to the college community. The college sent a text to its community at 12:55 p.m. saying it was ending the lockdown.
 
Williamstown Police Sunday afternoon confirmed the lone victim in the shooting was alive when transported to Berkshire Medical Center.
View Full Story

More Williamstown Stories

Community News
image description

New Williamstown Police Looking for Suspects After Cole Avenue...

Community News
Community News
image description

Williamstown Planning Board Hears Results of Sidewalk Analysis

Community News
Schools
image description

Mount Greylock Committee OKs Overseas Trip Despite Equity...

Schools
Schools
image description

Puppets Teach Lanesborough Elementary Pupils About Friendship

Schools
Schools
image description

Mount Greylock School Committee Hears Need for More Teachers

Schools
Schools
image description

MountainOne Participates in Williamstown Elementary's 'Words Are...

Schools
Latest Stories
Previous Next

What's Trending?